scenes. You to that and robin Williams was often at his best when he was just playing himself. Funny, smart, touching, always lightening fast, a guest so many ties on "Good morning America" throughout the years and it was a privilege to sit across from that man. Let me tell you, he kept you on your toes. Robin Williams, a man so gifted, friend Billy crystal once said, he bounces around 9 room like light off a mirror and he brought that special light to each and every interview he gave. Here on "Gma" over 30 years ago in 1982. Robin, can you ever turn off? Easily, yeah. Can you really? Well, yes, watch. Did you go into comedy because you couldn't make it as an actor? Yes, actually -- Is that true? That's what I read. You couldn't get a job as -- you cry on this program and I won't run any of it. You promised me you wouldn't cry. I couldn't make it as an actor. I remember doing "Hamlet." To be, line. I found it very difficult being in tights and you're wearing ties and doing Shakespeare and they can tell what religion you are. Tears come down your cheeks. Robin, do you ever just talk straight? Yeah. For how long? Hours at a time. Yeah. Yeah, I mean I can -- for a long time. I don't like to because it's more fun to play. Reporter: Behind the playful Ness Williams struggled with the demons of addiction something he spoke about with Diane sawyer in 2006 two months after he left rehab. Was there something people said to you. Many people. It was pretty much unanimous on that level. And then you go and you say, that's it. Yeah, you're right. How long before you decided this is it? I don't know. I was -- a couple of years of just thinking I can do it on my own and you can't. That's the bottom line. I can do this. I can stop and you really think you can and then you realize I need help and that's the operative word. Reporter: Williams was dealt another blow in 2009 when he had open heart surgery to replace his aortic valve. He later told Barbara Walters who herself faced the same procedure the experience was humbling. Are you a different person today? Yeah, I think much more grateful. For everything. You and I both have been given a second chance literally and to take that and go with it. And I too was one of the lucky ones who basked in the light that was robin Williams. So lovely to see you again. Diane kept confusing us. People confuse us all the time. Let's do this whole thing. Oh, robin Robert. Separated at birth. Yo, baby please. Bless your heart. You make us laugh. Thank you. It's a good job, I like it. It's my day job. Don't ever quit your day job. Thank you. Don't ever. Thank you. It's something that just seems like it's just -- you were meant to do this for us. Cool, thanks very much. A man meant to bring joy and for that, we thank you, dear robin, as you travel home. Go back. Go back. There we go. Sweet robin go back. Those are the days when you added ten minutes to the segment with robin Williams because he would just take. That's when you just sat back in your chair. Let him do -- Do the work and many of our crew members, they've known him over the years too and have said the same thing. He was just incredibly personable.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

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